The Lions have 21 sacks this season, tied for 20th in the NFL. Freeney has 125.5 sacks in his 16 years in the league, 17th on the all-time list and second to the Carolina Panthers’ Julius Peppers among active players.

Freeney will be reunited in Detroit with Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.

The veteran played for Caldwell while with the Indianapolis Colts from 2002-10. The latter was an assistant in Indianapolis from 2002-08 and head coach from 2009-11.

At 6-4, the Lions are in the NFC playoff mix. They host the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day in a key NFC North contest, although it would be surprising to see Freeney on the field the day after being signed.